I picked up a Ruger LCR about 2 weeks ago. I was looking for a lightweight revolver in 38 Special that could handle +P loads and was DAO so I didn't have to worry about snagging on the draw if I was carrying in a pocket. I handled a S&W 442 (I think that was the model) and the Ruger LCR. I ended up picking the Ruger because I thought it felt a little better in the store. The S&W looked better, and I generally prefer S&W revolvers to Ruger revolvers, but thought I would give the Ruger a try. One thing I liked about it was it had a high visibility front sight that included a tritium insert.
I have had it out shooting now a few times and have put about 200 rounds through it. The rounds were a mix of Federal 158g LSWC-HP (+P), Federal 110 g Hydrashocks, and then some Remington cheap FMJ, I think 130g.
The Ruger shot great. The DAO pull on the Ruger is easier to manage than the DA trigger pull on my old S&W 36. It seemed a little lighter, maybe, but the pull was much smoother.
The front sight made a huge difference in accuracy, much better than the blade front sight on my S&W 36.
Recoil was not a problem. I have always found J frames to have pretty bad recoil especially if shooting +P rounds. The Ruger's recoil is milder for sure. I really could not tell much difference between the 158g +P rounds and the 110g Hydrashocks, which were labelled low recoil.
I did most of the shooting at 25 feet, which is a reasonable distance for self defense, and all shots will go into a pie-plate sized circle shooting double action. I think it would get the job done as long as I do my part in a self defense encounter.
All rounds shot about the same accuracy.
I will probably keep it loaded with the Federal 158 LSWC-HP +P ammo. This is the old FBI load before they went and got fancy and upgraded to semi-autos. I think the Federal 110g Hydra-shocks would be a good choice too, if someone wanted something with slightly less recoil, but really the difference in recoil to me was just not very much.
Just thought I would give the feedback here. Overall, I would say its probably the ugliest gun I own, but shoots pretty dang sweet and I would not hesitate to drop it in me pocket when I go for a stroll around the compound.
I have had it out shooting now a few times and have put about 200 rounds through it. The rounds were a mix of Federal 158g LSWC-HP (+P), Federal 110 g Hydrashocks, and then some Remington cheap FMJ, I think 130g.
The Ruger shot great. The DAO pull on the Ruger is easier to manage than the DA trigger pull on my old S&W 36. It seemed a little lighter, maybe, but the pull was much smoother.
The front sight made a huge difference in accuracy, much better than the blade front sight on my S&W 36.
Recoil was not a problem. I have always found J frames to have pretty bad recoil especially if shooting +P rounds. The Ruger's recoil is milder for sure. I really could not tell much difference between the 158g +P rounds and the 110g Hydrashocks, which were labelled low recoil.
I did most of the shooting at 25 feet, which is a reasonable distance for self defense, and all shots will go into a pie-plate sized circle shooting double action. I think it would get the job done as long as I do my part in a self defense encounter.
All rounds shot about the same accuracy.
I will probably keep it loaded with the Federal 158 LSWC-HP +P ammo. This is the old FBI load before they went and got fancy and upgraded to semi-autos. I think the Federal 110g Hydra-shocks would be a good choice too, if someone wanted something with slightly less recoil, but really the difference in recoil to me was just not very much.
Just thought I would give the feedback here. Overall, I would say its probably the ugliest gun I own, but shoots pretty dang sweet and I would not hesitate to drop it in me pocket when I go for a stroll around the compound.
